Guinness looks like hard work and drinks like a treat. It is far lighter than the color suggests, the nitro pour makes it silky, and it is one of the few beers that is genuinely better on the palate than it is impressive on paper. If you have been avoiding it because it looks heavy, you have been avoiding it for the wrong reason.
Guinness Draught at a glance
| Style | Irish dry stout |
| ABV | 4.2% (US) |
| Calories | 125 per 12 fl oz (about 210 per UK pint) |
| Carbs | 9.4g per 12 fl oz |
| Origin | St James’s Gate Brewery, Dublin, Ireland |
| Ingredients | Water, malted barley, barley, roasted barley, hops, yeast, nitrogen |
| Vegan | Yes (isinglass-free since 2018) |
| Gluten free | No, it is brewed from barley |
| Typical price | About $14.39 for a 6-pack, roughly $2.57 per 12oz |
How it tastes, by the numbers
Here is how we score Guinness on the five things that actually shape the drinking experience. It is all about body and roast, with almost no sweetness and only moderate fizz.
The full review
Pour it properly and it rewards you. The two-part nitro pour builds that thick, tight, off-white head that sits proud of the glass and actually lasts to the bottom. Underneath it is near black with a faint ruby edge if you hold it to the light. The nose is roasted barley and coffee, restrained rather than in your face.
That first mouthful is where it wins people over. The nitrogen gives it a soft, creamy body that feels fuller than it actually is, so you get flavor without the weight. Roasted malt, dark coffee, a little cocoa, and then a dry, gently bitter finish that keeps you coming back instead of filling you up. There is no sweetness clinging around, which is the whole trick of a dry stout.
Here is the part people never believe: at 4.2% and 125 calories it is lighter than most of the lagers sitting next to it on the bar. You can have a couple of pints of Guinness and feel better than you would after the same amount of a fizzy 5% lager.
It drinks like a session beer wearing a stout’s coat.
It is not flawless. Out of a can with the widget it is good but never quite matches a properly pulled draught pint, and it wants to be cellar-cool rather than ice cold so the flavor actually shows up. Serve it too cold and you mute the best part of it.
- Silky, creamy body from the nitro pour
- Surprisingly light in alcohol and calories for the look of it
- Roasty, coffee-ish depth with a clean dry finish
- Pairs brilliantly with oysters, a roast, or a beef stew
- Canned widget version is a step below true draught
- Needs the right temperature, too cold and it goes flat in flavor
- The slow proper pour is not for the impatient
Who it is for
Anyone who thinks they do not like stout but has only judged it by the color. Cold-weather drinking, a proper pub session, or with food. If you want something crisp and fizzy on a hot afternoon, this is not that beer, reach for a Corona or a Michelob Ultra instead.
Guinness FAQs
What does Guinness taste like?
Smooth and creamy with roasted malt, dark coffee and a hint of cocoa, finishing dry and gently bitter. The nitrogen pour gives it a soft body that feels richer than it is, and there is very little sweetness, which is what makes it so easy to keep drinking.
How do you make Guinness taste better?
Serve it cellar-cool, around 6C or 42F, not ice cold, so the roasted flavors come through. Use a clean glass, and if you are pouring from a can or bottle with a widget, do the two-part pour: fill about three quarters, let the surge settle until the head is creamy, then top it off. A proper draught pint from a bar will always beat the can.
Is Guinness gluten free?
No. Guinness Draught is brewed from barley, which contains gluten, so it is not suitable for anyone who needs to avoid gluten.
How many calories are in a Guinness?
About 125 calories per 12 fl oz serving, or roughly 210 calories in a UK pint. That is actually fewer than most standard lagers, despite the rich look. If you are watching what you drink, our guide to the best low-carb beers is worth a look.
What kind of beer is Guinness?
It is an Irish dry stout, a dark, roasty style made with roasted barley and served smooth and creamy thanks to a nitrogen pour.
What is the alcohol content of Guinness?
Guinness Draught is 4.2% ABV in the US (around 4.1 to 4.2% depending on the market), which is lower than most lagers. You can work out the strength of any beer yourself with our ABV calculator.
Is Guinness vegan?
Yes. Since 2018 all Guinness is isinglass-free, meaning the old fish-derived filtering agent is gone, so Guinness Draught is now suitable for vegans.
Where is Guinness made?
At the St James’s Gate Brewery in Dublin, Ireland, where it has been brewed since 1759. Some versions for other markets are also brewed under license abroad.
Does Walmart sell Guinness?
Yes, Walmart typically stocks Guinness Draught in stores and for pickup or delivery wherever local law allows alcohol sales. Availability varies by state and location.
Does Guinness have wheat?
No, Guinness is not made with wheat. It is brewed from barley, so it does contain gluten from the barley, but wheat is not one of the ingredients.
What are the ingredients of Guinness?
Water, malted barley, barley, roasted barley, hops and yeast, with nitrogen added for the creamy pour. That is it.
Where can I buy Guinness?
Supermarkets, liquor stores, and bars and pubs all carry it, and you can also get it delivered through online alcohol services in many areas.
Can you buy Guinness on Amazon?
Generally no. Amazon does not ship beer directly to most US customers, though you may find it through Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods in a few areas. A dedicated alcohol delivery service is the more reliable option.
What are the best Guinness alternatives?
If you like Guinness and want something similar, try other dry and milk stouts such as Murphy’s Irish Stout, Beamish Irish Stout, Left Hand Milk Stout Nitro or Samuel Smith’s Oatmeal Stout. For a nitro pour with the same creamy feel, a nitro stout is the closest match.
Where to buy Guinness
You can pick up Guinness Draught at most supermarkets and liquor stores, or have it delivered.
The verdict
The benchmark stout for a reason. Smooth, moreish, lighter than it looks, and hard to drink badly. If you only ever try one dark beer, make it this one. For more, browse our other beer reviews and guides.
FAQs
What kind of beer is Guinness Draught?
Guinness Draught is an Irish dry stout, at 4.2% (US) ABV.
How much alcohol is in Guinness Draught?
Guinness Draught has an ABV of 4.2% (US).
How many calories are in Guinness Draught?
Guinness Draught has 125 per 12 fl oz (about 210 per UK pint), based on the brewery’s published nutrition information.
Is Guinness Draught gluten free?
Guinness Draught: No, it is brewed from barley.
Does Guinness Draught have carbs?
Yes, Guinness Draught has 9.4g per 12 fl oz. If you’re watching carbs, see our guide to the best low-carb beers.
How can I make Guinness Draught taste better?
Serve it at the right temperature and in the right glass (see below), or use it as the base for a beer cocktail. Our beer cocktails guide has recipes worth trying.
How much does Guinness Draught cost?
Guinness Draught typically runs About $14.39 for a 6-pack, roughly $2.57 per 12oz. Check current pricing and availability through the buy link above.
How do I open Guinness Draught without a bottle opener?
A lighter, a sturdy key, a spoon, or the edge of a table all work in a pinch. See our full guide on opening a beer without a bottle opener for 8 methods that actually work.
What glass should I use for Guinness Draught?
A standard pint or tulip glass works well for an Irish dry stout like Guinness Draught. See our beer glassware guide for style-by-style recommendations.
Curious about the history behind the brand? Read the full story of how the brewery got here.
